By Lungile Ntimba
The Economic Freedom Fighters is going to mobilise students across campuses following a fatal shooting at the Walter Sisulu University’s Mthatha campus on Tuesday.
A student was shot dead and two others injured during a protest over residence-related issues, including maintenance. It is alleged that a residence manager used live ammunition to disperse the students.
Police say the administrator was attacked at his house by protesting students.
“The EFF will be mobilising together with the Youth Command structures across all campuses to ensure that justice is not only demanded, but delivered,” the EFF in the Eastern Cape said in a statement.
“Should our calls be ignored, the EFF will not hesitate to engage in further action in defence of our students and the right to safe, fair and humane learning environments.”
It has been a rocky start to the academic year, with students protesting at higher education institutions across the country over various issues.
Political parties have condemned the latest incident and called calm at the university.
DA MPL Yusuf Cassim said the incident should not be viewed in isolation, but rather as the most recent outcome in long-standing pattern of instability, poor oversight and unchecked escalation at the institution.
“This tragic shooting comes less than a month after the university shut down all campuses due to violent protests and raises serious questions about what steps, if any, were taken in the interim to address the causes of unrest and restore safety,” he said in a statement.
“In March, those protests escalated into violent actions, including the intimidation of non-striking students, the forced evacuation of staff and security personnel, vandalism of university property and the suspension of academic operations across campuses.”
Operations at the campus have been suspended.
“Clearly, there is a breakdown in communication, and university management appears incapable of managing the situation,” Cassim said.
The DA and the GOOD Party want a full investigation into the shooting.
“I will call on the premier to immediately deploy an interdisciplinary team to the campus, including SAPS, community safety, Social Development and other role players to stabilise the situation and support students on the ground,” Cassim added.
Student Representative Council (SRC) president Themba Zikhali has demanded that the university addresses grievances and justice for the dead student.
He said students have been protesting since the beginning of this academic year about the issue regarding residences, residence appliances, the visitors’ policy, water, curtains and WI-FI.
The GOOD Party said that tensions have been escalating at universities in recent years, and it was deeply alarming that pursuing education had come at a cost.
“The university experience should be one of intellectual growth, cultural exchange and empowerment – not fear and trauma,” it said in a statement.
“Instead, the south African reality for many students is marred by financial exclusion, accommodation crises and administrative inefficiency. These issues must not be normalised.”
Cassim has urged provincial leaders to get in contact with Higher Education and training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to facilitate a coordinated response.
This should include ensuring that the university’s management is held accountable and that systemic issues are addressed at the highest level, he said.
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has engaged with the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rushiella Nolundi Songca, to get a full briefing and offer the department’s support.
The minister has also requested that the university furnishes her with a comprehensive report on the incident as a matter of urgency.
She will visit the university in the coming days to engage with stakeholders, assess the situation on the ground and ensure that appropriate measures are taken to protect the university community.
“Dr Nkabane is resolute that no student should ever be harmed while accessing their right to education. This must be the last time we are forced to respond to such a tragedy at our institutions of higher learning,” her department said.
INSIDE EDUCATION
